The Year of the Dragon: Celebrating Chinese New Year
The date of Chinese New Year varies each year, as it is based on the lunar calendar. The celebrations typically last for 15 days, from the new moon to the full moon. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Preparations for Chinese New Year begin weeks in advance. Homes are cleaned to sweep away bad luck, and decorated with red lanterns and paper cuttings to welcome good fortune. On New Year's Eve, families gather for a grand feast, which includes symbolic dishes such as fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth.
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The first few days of the New Year are a time for visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts, and enjoying traditional performances such as lion and dragon dances. The celebrations culminate in the Lantern Festival, when people hang colorful lanterns and solve riddles.